Gamification as a tool to improve educational and training outcomes in civil engineering: a state-of-the-art review

Abstract

Gamification has emerged in recent years as an application of game mechanics to improve learning processes through increased motivation and engagement. Civil engineering is a suitable field for gamification because it encompasses a variety of areas involving both management and fieldwork tasks. To gain insight into the use of gamified approaches in civil engineering, this study developed a scoping review of the publications released during this century in this field. A data analysis using text mining and statistical techniques suggested that gamification has great potential to support educational and training civil engineering practices. The results identify construction safety and project management as the two most suitable areas for gamification, due to their implications in terms of human factors and economic impacts. Simulation games and virtual reality were found to be the most recurrent gamified approaches, due to their capacity to emulate complex situations inherent in real projects and construction works.